Wednesday, April 9, 2008

A quicker force quit!

Holding "Shift" changes another shortcut in the Apple menu. It is the "Force Quit" feature. The standard shortcut is "Option - Command - Esc" and loads the Force Quit window. Adding "Shift" will modify the shortcut and let you directly Force Quit the application that you are currently in. It bypasses the Force Quit window.

When you use Cmd-Option-Shift-Escape to force-quit an application, you need to hold it down for several seconds. (Maybe three?) This is both good and bad. Saves you any accidental presses, but, it also takes longer.

The Original Post says "Adding "Shift" will modify ..." However this involves pressing four keys at once. That does work if held (as MacTipper says) but try this: Click on the Apple menu, highlight "Force Quit ..." then press the Shift Key - instant and easy!

Like I said in my comment, you have to hold it for a long time. This isn't your normal 1-2 second hold (Such as click and dragging text) but a very long hold. (It seems.) I measured it, and it's around 3-4 seconds.

And to hold four keys like that, you hold Cmd with your right thumb. Shift with your right pinky. Option with your left thumb and escape with your left pinky. Or, you could hold Cmd-Option with your left thumb.

I use force quit only when an application isn't responding (as I suspect most people do!). I find that when an app isn't responding, clicking the apple icon when that app is in focus doesn't work. I only get the spinning coloured wheel. I always have to move to another application before I can get the menu up. Under those circumstances this tip is pretty useless.